At least six journalists covering yesterday’s district chairperson and direct councillor elections in Entebbe Municipality, Wakiso District, were briefly detained by joint security forces at the Banga–Nakiwogo Polling Station.
The incident has sparked fresh concerns regarding media freedom and safety during electoral processes in Uganda.
The journalists were rounded up by plain-clothed soldiers attached to the Special Forces Command (SFC) Banga–Nakiwogo barracks, working alongside personnel from the Police Field Unit and newly-deployed Electoral Commission police constables.
Safety Measures Turn Into Confrontation
According to accounts from the affected media personnel, the teams had agreed to move together for safety, citing past incidents where reporters were attacked by both security personnel and hostile voters in the municipality.
Earlier in the day, the journalists successfully covered proceedings at several polling stations with heavy military and police deployment—including Katabi–Busambaga—without interference. However, the situation deteriorated in the afternoon shortly after the team arrived at the Banga–Nakiwogo Polling Station.
Disruption of Live Broadcasts
Trouble began after the media team had been covering proceedings for approximately 40 minutes. Plain-clothed soldiers and uniformed police officers reportedly moved in and apprehended NTV journalist Ivan Kamana Walunyolo while he was conducting live coverage.
During the scuffle, security personnel allegedly:
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Grabbed a phone and live broadcast equipment from the NTV camera operator.
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Forced the live bulletin off the air.
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Confiscated equipment and escorted the journalists away from the polling area.
Speaking to this publication, Mr. Walunyolo explained that he was reporting on low voter turnout in Nakiwogo and complaints raised by Opposition leaders when security officers intervened.
“The Opposition leaders were complaining that all their polling agents had been chased out of the polling station by the military and were standing outside the fence. They also alleged that soldiers were being ferried in to vote twice. That is when we were rounded up by SFC and police officers,” Mr. Walunyolo stated.
Accusations of Bias
Mr. Walunyolo detailed the physical confrontation, noting that security personnel first targeted his camera operator.
“They went to my cameraman and squeezed him in the ribs as they ordered him to get off air. When I approached them to ask what we had done wrong, they took both of us to their commander, who asked why we were siding with the Opposition,” he added.
According to the journalists, the soldiers claimed they were required to seek permission from the Entebbe District Police Commander (DPC) before filming or broadcasting due to the station’s proximity to the Banga–Nakiwogo SFC barracks.
Release and Growing Concerns
Following the altercation, the journalists were removed from the polling station and taken to Entebbe Central Police Station, allegedly on the orders of the Entebbe DPC.
Upon arrival, senior police officers and the SFC commander reportedly made several phone calls to unidentified individuals before releasing the journalists without charge. By press time, neither the police nor the military had issued an official statement explaining the detention.
This incident adds to a growing list of complaints by media practitioners regarding harassment and interference while covering electoral activities across the country.
